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Tabatiere 1866 Musket - US Indian Police Badge

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Tabatiere 1866 Musket - US Indian Police Badge
This is an original Model 1866 Tabatiere Breechloading musket from the French Army from Mre Impale de St. Etienne showing brass tacking, Indian US Police 1889 badge, and stampings in the wood for Standing Rock Agency U.S. Government Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Indian Police. The firearm was originally made for use by the French Army as a rifled Musket .69 caliber with a breech loading side hinged receiver similar to the British Snyder and later were used by French Fur Traders in the northern US and Canada with some later traded to Northern Indian Tribes. The left side of the wood stock has a metal tacked on badge made of either silver, brass or copper stamped “INDIAN US POLICE 1889” and the wood is stamped Standing Rock Agency. The left side of the stock is stamped in several places including “U.S. GOV’T” in a trapezoid, “BUREAU of INDIAN AFFAIRS” in a rectangle, “U.S. INDIAN POLICE” in an oblong rectangle, “ARMS-AMMO / 24”. The brass tacks are metal with brass over and a round shank. The rifle is marked as such: Hand engraved on the right lock plate is “Mre Impale / de St. Etienne”. The swivel out or swing out breech block is marked with a hallmark of a diamond with a “C” at the center as well as two other hallmarks above (one the Belgium mark 1853- The Perron indicating inspection or proof of breeching system and the other possibly a Belgium proof mark of a crown over N or star over A) and on the underside “6105 / 498”. Under the breech block is stamped “P” and the frame back strap is stamped with a diamond having an “F” in the center. The barrel is marked on the top “A.F.” with a hallmark of a diamond with a “C” at the center above, on the right side a circle with an “E” and “V” above, on the left side two pictorial hallmarks (one Belgium Perron 1853- breech system mark and other either crown N or Star A) and a diamond with a “D” at the center and behind this on the breech back of the barrel is another hallmark. The barrel has an octagonal start that tapers into a round barrel. The far left side of the barrel is marked “6063” and a Belgium proof mark (oval with E L G star at the center, the Belgium 1810-1853 as the sole proof mark). The right side has a the metal piece holding the receiver stamped “A” circle. Butt stock stamped diamond F and circle F. The barrel is now smooth bore and has been modernly shortened. The rifle is an original Model 1866 circa 1860-1880’s Tabatiere French Army example with later added stamping and badges. The age of the badge and other wood stampings is unknown. Total length 37.5”L. Antique Firearm NO FFL transfer.